Luft46's Blog

This is a quick review comparing the MPM Kikka from the late nineties to the current AZ Models one. Both are limited run injection moulded kits but there are a fair few differences in the two kits. Initially I was worried that the AZ kit would simply be a repop of the MPM one but this is definitely not the case. Lets start with the boxes.

I personally prefer the MPM artwork but there the good news ends for MPM. AZ have obviuosly been listening to the crticism of end opening boxes that collapse and have created a slide out drawer type box for the inside. This provides great rigidity to the box and by adding a little shelf inside further protection is added for the sprues. MPM has not done this and long term storage causes the box to bow inwards.

The contents……

The MPM kit comes as one sprue that has a fair amount of flash. In addition there is an injection moulded canopy of average quality and a decal sheet with 10 Hinomarus and 2 serial numbers. The red in the Hinomarus is a pale pinky red, not sure how realistic this is. behind the decal sheet is a brass fret that contains contains 17 parts to detail the cockpit including the instrument panel and the undercarriage. This all comes in a plastic bag. from building this kit in the past I know that a reasonable amount of fettling will be required including the cockpit floor being too wide. The flash will require a bit of cleanup also

The AZ kit comes on two sprues with much the same sort of parts breakup but with less flash and no etched brass. There are 2 extra Hinomarus with the colour being more brown(brick) red with markings for three different planes. Lets compare and contrast these kits in depth now in Part 2.